HAMLET, Ind. — The Oregon-Davis FFA chapter hosted its annual potluck meal and awards banquet on Wednesday, May 9 in the Oregon-Davis High School cafeteria. Some of the awards that were presented include the Outstanding Freshman award received by Delaney Shively. Aron Rotering was awarded the Outstanding Sophomore award. Dakota Cook and Danielle Marsh were both named Outstanding Juniors. Dylan Shively and Alivia Hesters were announced as Outstanding Seniors. Cook was also awarded the Outstanding Service Award, which is an award given to the member with the most points. Cook set a high standard with 2,000 points. The Purdue Outstanding Junior Award was also received by Cook.

 She is one of only 22 students in the state of Indiana to receive this award. This year’s Chapter Star Discovery award was presented to Bailee Cook. The Chapter FFA Pride award is presented to the most active FFA members. This year the Pride award was given to Casandra Niles, Bailey Masterson and Kendra Stachulak. The Chapter Star in Agribusiness was awarded to Dylan Shively. This award is given to a FFA member that shows an active role in agriculture by working in the agriculture field. The Chapter Star Farmer was Alivia Hesters. This award honors the most involvement in all phases of the chapter’s activities along with an active role in production agriculture. Alivia Hesters was awarded the Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment award, which recognizes the outstanding senior agriculture student.

The senior members that are leaving the Oregon-Davis FFA Chapter are Brooke Bennett, Alivia Hesters, Thomas Potts, Julia Rix, Alysha Salyer, Dylan Shively and Kendra Stachulak. The Greenhand Degree winners this year are Crystal Jackson, Breanna Kasten, Taylor Kemble, Delaney Shively, Kendra Stachulak, Rebekah Starr, Katlynn Surfus, Justin White and Ali Quinn. The Chapter FFA Degree winners this year are Schuyler Awald, Brooke Bennett, Casandra Niles, Thomas Potts, Julia Rix, Alysha Salyer, Delaney Shively and Ashley Thacker. Dylan Shively and Dakota Cook will receive their Hoosier FFA Degree at the Indiana State FFA Convention in June at Purdue University. Lauren Jernas, a former Oregon-Davis FFA member, has applied for her American Degree, which will be awarded during the National FFA Convention this fall in Indianapolis, Ind. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — On May 3-4, the Miami Trace FFA Chapter attended the State FFA Convention at the Ohio State Expo Center in Columbus. The Chapter attended convention sessions, and listened to three speakers Brooke Gibbs, Jon Petz, and Ryan Best, National FFA president.

The judging teams excelled this year in state Career Development Events. The agronomy team received first out of 30 teams participating and out of 122 individuals, team member Evan Schaefer placed first, Judith Straathof placed second, Landon Gibbs placed fourth, and Rachel McClish fifth. 

The dairy foods placed fifth out of 35 teams participating and 125 individuals team consisted of Nicole Straathof placed 15th, Abby Schwenk placed 18th, Daniella Straathof placed 23rd, Theresa Elrich placed 30th, Abby Hidy placed 45th, and Rebecca Elrich, 82nd. The dairy cattle judging team placed third out of 73 teams and out of 272 individuals, team members were Barbara Sears placed fifth, Sam MacGregor placed 9th, Josh Mckay placed 18th and Tiarra Perkins placed 39th. The general livestock team placed seventh out of 150 teams and out of 786 individuals, team members Caroline Hughes placed 20th, Gus Mitchem placed 24th, Caleb Penwell placed 27th and Logan Harvel placed 29th. The equine team placed second out of 124 teams and out of 447 individuals team members Abbie Noble placed 9th, Blake Pitstick placed 12th, Kayla Kiser placed 15th and Tabby Morris placed 16th. The meats team placed second, out of 22 teams and out of 141 individuals team members were Tanner Mick placed 2nd, Mikayla Mick placed 3rd, Kayla Clyburn placed 7th, Jessica Little placed 12th, Cheyenne Wright placed 21st, Hunter Hobbs placed 30th, Heather Johnston placed 31st, Logan Harvel placed 33rd, Blayne Toth placed 35th, Kayla Payton placed 58th, Montana Born placed 98th and Gus Mitchem placed 106th. 

The Parliamentary Procedure team was recognized for winning state. The team consists of Landon Gibbs, Sarah Peterson, Emily Ratliff, Tanner Mick, Daniella Straathof, Jamie Payton and Molly Garringer. Natalie Miller interviewed as a finalist for the Greenhand Quiz CDE, she was second in the state. Evan Schaefer interviewed as a finalist for grain merchandising and was third overall in the state. Other awards included officers who received gold star ratings on their officer books. Brooke Mossbarger received the reporter’s book gold pin, and Daniella Straathof received the secretary’s book gold pin. Hannah Peterson was recognized for being the top individual in the Agriculture Communications CDE.